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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 6 · Prescribed Duties for Mankind · 19 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
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Canto 6 · Chapter 9: Appearance of the Demon Vṛtrāsura
6.9.506.9.52

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.9.51

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 6.9.47inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

मघवन् यात भद्रं वो दध्यञ्चमृषिसत्तमम् ।

विद्याव्रततप:सारं गात्रं याचत मा चिरम् ॥ ५१ ॥ H

maghavan yāta bhadraṁ vo

dadhyañcam ṛṣi-sattamam

vidyā-vrata-tapaḥ-sāraṁ

gātraṁ yācata mā ciram

Translation

O Maghavan [Indra], all good fortune unto you. I advise you to approach the exalted saint Dadhyañca [Dadhīci]. He has become very accomplished in knowledge, vows and austerities, and his body is very strong. Go ask him for his body without delay.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotion Is Not Eagerness for Comfort

  1. 1

    Everyone in the material world, from Lord Brahmā down to the ant, is eager to keep the body comfortable.

  2. 2

    A pure devotee may also be comfortable but is not eager for that benediction. Maghavan still desired a comfortable bodily situation.

  3. 3

    Lord Viṣṇu told Maghavan to approach Dadhyañca and ask for his body without delay. Dadhyañca’s body was strong through knowledge, vows and austerity.

Key points from the purport
  • Everyone in this material world, from Lord Brahmā down to the ant, is eager to keep his body comfortable.
  • A pure devotee may also be comfortable, but he is not eager for such a benediction.
  • Since Maghavan, the King of heaven, still aspired for a comfortable bodily situation, Lord Viṣṇu advised him to ask Dadhyañca for his body, which was very strong due to his knowledge, vows and austerity.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Offense and dread → Moral reckoning. Heroic power does not guarantee inner freedom.

Chapters 7–10 of Canto 6: Indra, Bṛhaspati and the emergence of Vṛtrāsura. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 9: Appearance of the Demon Vṛtrāsura

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Being pleased with the demigods, the Supreme Personality of Godhead advised them to approach Dadhīci to beg him for the bones of his own body. Dadhīci would comply with the request of the demigods, and with the help of his bones Vṛtrāsura could be killed.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.9
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. maghavanO Indra
  2. yātago
  3. bhadramgood fortune
  4. vaḥto all of you
  5. dadhyañcamto Dadhyañca
  6. ṛṣi-sat-tamamthe most exalted saintly person
  7. vidyāof education
  8. vratavow
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 6.9

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 6.9

    In this verse: “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 6.9

    In this verse: “devotee”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How much does the desire for bodily comfort shape my devotional priorities?

Practice

Notice one wish for bodily comfort today and pause to consider whether it has become your main priority.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotion Is Not Eagerness for ComfortThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

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